Michael Jackson’s Hometown to Rename School in His Honor
The Gary Community School Board in Indiana has plans in the works to name a school after hometown hero Michael Jackson, according to the Associated Press.
The board approved a memorandum of understanding Tuesday (July 23) with the late pop singer’s mother, Katherine Jackson. The agreement that Katherine gave her blessing to says the district”seeks to honor Michael Jackson and to inspire children to excel in the arts and education.”
District superintendent Cheryl Pruitt said it has not been decided which school will be renamed, but she is working closely with the Jackson family to make a decision.
“A close relationship with the Jackson family to improve the quality of programs for the Gary Community School Corp. can mean tremendous gains for the school district and the city as a whole,” she told the (Gary) Post-Tribune.
Pruitt said renaming the school came up in a conversation with Katherine Jackson, who donated $10,000 during the Gary Promise scholarship event hosted by former NBA star Magic Johnson in April.
“She’s always wanted something left here,” Pruitt said.
Michael Jackson was a Gary resident until the Jackson 5 became famous and moved to California in 1969 when Michael was 11-years-old.
(Photo Credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
